The first pressing is identified by a large handwritten matrix with no dash or number following the matrix.
(Handwritten) 7XCE-17144 & 7XCE-17145
As the demand for Beatles' records grew in early 1964, Capitol of Canada pressed additional copies with the same large handwritten matrix without a following dash or number. It is not known how many copies were pressed, but probably a few thousand.
Attempting to distinguish between the 1963 and the 1964 pressings is a challenge for collectors. Over time a number of theories have been proposed. One suggests 1963 pressing can be identified by the depth of colour and appearance of the label. A second suggests the 1963 pressing can be identified by how the orange/yellow swirl cuts through the printed matrix text on the right side of the label. A third and the most current suggests the 1963 pressing can be identified by the positioning of the letter "R" in in the word "Records" on the left side of the label. At this time the third theory is the most widely accepted.
(Handwritten) 7XCE-17144 & 7XCE-17145
As the demand for Beatles' records grew in early 1964, Capitol of Canada pressed additional copies with the same large handwritten matrix without a following dash or number. It is not known how many copies were pressed, but probably a few thousand.
Attempting to distinguish between the 1963 and the 1964 pressings is a challenge for collectors. Over time a number of theories have been proposed. One suggests 1963 pressing can be identified by the depth of colour and appearance of the label. A second suggests the 1963 pressing can be identified by how the orange/yellow swirl cuts through the printed matrix text on the right side of the label. A third and the most current suggests the 1963 pressing can be identified by the positioning of the letter "R" in in the word "Records" on the left side of the label. At this time the third theory is the most widely accepted.
I know of a few VG+/Excellent copies sold at auction as 1963 pressings based on the third theory citing the positioning of the text on the label. One sold for a premium price of $550 and the second for $1200. A VG copy sold in 2020 for $285.00 Two additional copies were auctioned on eBay, but failed to meet the reserve price and went unsold.
As 1964 opened Beatlemania took off. To meet demand Capitol Canada pressed a significant number of copies of "Love Me Do" with a large number imported into the USA. These later copies start with a -2 matrix ending. Some copies may have been sent to U.S. radio stations in a Capitol Records U.S. promotional sleeve.
I am unaware of any copies claiming to be from 1963 based on the label appearance and colour to have sold for a premium. Clearly the collectors' market recognizes the location of the "R" in "Records" on the label as a bona fide method of identifying a 1963 pressing.
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Love Me Do with a -2/-2 matrix ending imported into the US and sent to U.S. radio stations. |
- 1963/1964 copies of "Love Me Do" with a large handwritten matrix in Excellent to NM condition have a value in the $200 -$400 range.
- Later copies with a dash and number after the matrix in excellent to NM condition have a value of $55 - $100
- In March 2020 a copy of "Love Me Do" listed as an original pressing, based on the position of the "R" on the label, was sold by Perry Cox on eBay for $1289 Can.
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